Madagascar's exiled president says his country's aviation authority has blocked his return from South Africa.
Marc Ravalomanana told reporters Saturday his planned trip to Madagascar was sabotaged by a letter from an aviation official to the South African Airways, denying him a boarding pass.
Mr. Ravalomanana had vowed to return Saturday, despite his absentia conviction to life at hard labor for conspiracy to commit murder for the deaths of two dozen anti-government protesters in 2009.
Mr. Ravalomanana fled to South Africa after being ousted by opposition leader Andry Rajoelina in an army-backed coup in March of 2009.
Since Mr. Rajoelina's takeover, Madagascar has faced international isolation because it lacked an elected leader. Madagascar has also struggled to establish a stable government.
Some information for this report was provided by AP and AFP.
